VSO announces appointment of policy director

14/02/2011 00:01:00

VSO has appointed Amanda Khozi Mukwashi as Director of Policy. 

As Director of Policy, Amanda will play a key role in implementing VSO’s new strategy, People First, which includes VSO’s ambitions for growing the scale and impact of its development programmes. Key to this strategy is further strengthening in VSO’s ability to measure its contribution; and a growth in its ability to transfer learning from programmes into policy proposals and external advocacy.

Amanda has worked in the development sector for the past eighteen years. She is joining VSO from Skillshare International UK where she has been working as Head of Programmes and previously as Head of External Relations. She grew up and was educated in Zambia, and earlier in her career held posts at UNFPA/Department of Gender in Development, Zambia; and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Zambia.

Marg Mayne, VSO's Chief Executive, said ‘As part of our new strategy, we are committed to significant increases in the scale and impact of our programmes, including external advocacy work. As Director of Policy Amanda will play a critical role in driving this and we are delighted to be benefiting from her impressive range of development experience, including work in the volunteering context.  Amanda is also passionate about women’s rights, which is particularly relevant for VSO as gender is a cross cutting theme in our development work.’

Amanda Khozi Mukwashi said ‘I am delighted and humbled to be given the opportunity to contribute towards VSO’s people centred approach to combating poverty and inequality.  I am looking forward to being part of this global community who share a vision and values that mean that each individual can have the opportunity and space to contribute to a better and perhaps more just society.’

Editor's notes

• VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers.  Since 1958 more than 40,000 volunteers have worked in 120 countries.  Today there are 1600 international volunteers worling around the world.
• Amanda KhoziMukwashi studied law at the University of Zambia, in Lusaka and then at the University of Warwick, UK.  She joined Skillshare International UK in 2002.  Amanda is a Trustee and President of Akina Mama wa Africa, an international NGO working for strengthening of women in leadership and decision making in Africa and Diaspora.  She was previously a trustee of SOS Sahel International UK, of Women in Development in Europe (WIDE) and of BOND.
• For further information please contact KRISTA ELEFTHERIOU, on krista.eleftheriou@vso.org.uk  Telephone: +44(0)20 8780 7343